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theguardian.com
Next may be resilient – but nobody will be immune if the energy price shock goes on
Timing lags in retail industry mean the impact of fuel and fabric inflation may not be felt until autumn ranges landIn the context of Next, which has just reported full-year pre-tax profits of £1.16bn, an estimated £15m of extra fuel and air freight costs arising from the Middle East conflict is tiny. The sum, which in any case assumes disruption lasts three months, can be lost in the wash, or more precisely “offset by savings elsewhere”.Chief executive Simon Wolfson, a boss who tends to err on side of caution when guiding on profits, saw no reason not to add £8m to this year’s number as a mechanical read-through from last year’s outcome. If there wasn’t a war on, one can assume there would have been a proper profit upgrade. After all, trading seems to have been going like a train up until late-February – “encouraging” in the UK and “strong” overseas. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Elon Musk's X advertising boycott lawsuit dismissed by US judge
US District Judge Jane Boyle said the company had failed to show it had suffered any harm under federal competition laws.
theguardian.com
‘Tehran’s tollbooth’: a visual guide to how a trickle of ships still passes through strait of Hormuz
Many of the vessels willing to make the crossing are taking an alternative route through Iranian watersThreats to shipping have effectively closed the strait of Hormuz since the US-Israel war on Iran began four weeks ago – upending global oil and gas supplies and sending energy prices soaring.In normal times, tankers carry about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies through the narrow channel and on to the rest of the world, while about a third of the global fertilisers necessary for half of the world’s food production pass through in dry bulk vessels. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Brussels opens investigation into Snapchat amid concern over children’s safety
European Commission says social messaging app is exposing children to grooming and sexual exploitationBrussels has opened an investigation into Snapchat over concerns the social messaging app is exposing children to grooming, sexual exploitation and other criminality.In a separate decision on Thursday, the European Commission also said four pornographic websites were failing to prevent minors seeing adult content, harming young people’s mental health and fuelling negative gender attitudes. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What caused the NS&I missing savings errors and what to do if you’re affected
The state-owned savings bank owes nearly £500m to bereaved family members due to a long-running administrative problem* NS&I boss replaced as bank faces record payout over missing savingsNational Savings & Investment (NS&I) owes nearly £500m in missing payments to bereaved families after it emerged a long-running administrative problem had stopped them gaining access to their money. On Thursday, its chief executive, Dax Harkins, was forced out amid the scandal.Here’s what has gone wrong at the state-owned savings bank. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump says Iran let 10 oil ships through Strait of Hormuz as 'present' to U.S.
Trump said the U.S has "very substantial talks going on with respect to Iran," though Tehran has denied direct talks have taken place.
cnbc.com
Trump says oil and stock market reaction to Iran conflict not as severe as he expected
Trump expressed confidence in the war effort and said the economic damage will reverse.
theguardian.com
Next says Middle East conflict could raise clothing prices by up to 10%
Retailer says higher fuel and factory costs may hit supply chains and lead to ‘significant increase in prices’ Business live – latest updatesThe boss of Next has said clothing prices could rise by 4% to 10% if conflict in the Middle East extends into the autumn and factories are hit by higher fuel and fabric costs.Simon Wolfson said the clothing and home retailer had so far seen little disruption to its supply chain. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
European markets finish lower amid Iran peace talks uncertainty
European stocks closed lower on Thursday as investors weigh mixed messages on the status of Middle East peace talks.
theguardian.com
I’m losing my home through a no-fault eviction | Letter
One reader says the government has not done enough to protect tenants from section 21 notices despite years of assurancesRegarding your article on landlords issuing section 21 notices ahead of the upcoming ban on them (24 March), I am currently going through exactly this process. I am being forced out of my home through no fault of my own, after years of paying rent and doing everything expected of a “good” tenant. It turns out that being responsible is not protection, it is merely compliance before eviction.We have been told for years that no-fault evictions would be abolished. And yet here we are – a last-minute rush of notices, entirely predictable, entirely avoidable and entirely devastating for those of us on the receiving end. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Retail firms warn of price hikes if Iran war extends for months
Fashion retailer Next has accounted for millions in additional costs likely to arise from the Middle East conflict
cnbc.com
Israel says it has killed Iran naval chief overseeing Strait of Hormuz blockade
Israel's Defense Forces said Thursday that Iranian naval commander Alireza Tangsiri has been killed in a "precise strike" in the port city of Bandar Abbas.
cnbc.com
Apple expands American manufacturing program with four new partners
Apple is adding Bosch, Cirrus Logic, TDK, and Qnity Electronics to its American Manufacturing Program, committing $400 million through 2030.
bbc.com
Don't panic - five ways to stop your kids' endless scrolling
Parenting experts share their tips on how to keep children's screen time under control.
bbc.com
NS&I boss replaced as savers left waiting for millions of pounds
Pensions Minister Torston Bell said those affected would receive compensation "where appropriate".
bbc.com
What is happening to gas and electricity prices?
Typical household bills will fall by 7% when the new energy cap takes effect on 1 April 2026.
bbc.com
How high could UK petrol and diesel prices go?
For every $10 rise in oil prices, motorists face paying roughly 7p per litre more in the UK.
cnbc.com
It’s not just oil and gas. The Strait of Hormuz blockage is rattling another vital commodity
“I'm a lot more concerned about the current crisis than I was when Russia-Ukraine happened four years ago,” one fund manager told CNBC.
theguardian.com
Google warns quantum computers could hack encrypted systems by 2029
Banks, governments and tech providers urged to upgrade security because current systems will soon be obsolete Banks, governments and technology providers need to be prepared for quantum computer hackers capable of breaking most existing encryption systems by 2029, Google has warned.The tech company said in a blogpost that quantum computers would pose a “significant threat to current cryptographic standards” before the end of the decade and urged other companies to follow its lead. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Higher gas prices from Iran war could offset bigger tax refunds from Trump's 'big beautiful bill'
Amid the Iran war, higher gas prices could offset the bigger tax refunds from President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill," according to some analysts.
theguardian.com
Fossil fuel companies finally accept the climate crisis – just not their role in it
The era of corporate climate denial is over but in courts around the world the big names have shifted strategyWhile the US government continues to call climate change a hoax and attack the science, in courtrooms from The Hague to Honolulu, fossil fuel companies are taking a different approach. Shell, Chevron, RWE and TotalEnergies all accept that climate change is real, human-caused and serious. The era of corporate climate denial, at least in legal proceedings, is largely over.What has replaced it is a more nuanced position: accepting the science of climate change while contesting their responsibility for it. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Hair compost, sugar waxes and refillable shampoo: inside a California low-waste salon
Scisters Salon & Apothecary in the San Diego area is committed to sustainable beauty and going low-wasteThe first thing you notice when you walk into Scisters Salon & Apothecary is what isn’t there. No wall of glossy plastic bottles promising “repair” or “shine”. No sharp chemical tang or aerosol haze. The only trash can is a tiny basket that mostly collects coffee cups and gum wrappers clients bring from home.Instead, the shelves of this southern California salon are lined with large refill containers of shampoo and conditioner, houseplants dot the space, hair clippings are swept away for compost, and the air carries a trace of bergamot and vanilla. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Treasury yields rise as Iran ceasefire optimism fades
Treasury yields rose on Thursday as investors digested mixed messages around the state of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
cnbc.com
British Airways to reward pilots for cutting fuel as airlines tackle higher costs
Jet fuel prices surged about 106% compared to a month ago, according to data from the week ending March 20 via the International Air Transport Association.
cnbc.com
Iran war will spare no major economy, says OECD — but the UK is more vulnerable than others
The U.K. is predicted to be worse hit by the Iran war than its developed market counterparts, the OECD said in its interim economic outlook on Thursday.
bbc.com
Port Talbot to become offshore wind hub for Celtic Sea
Port operator ABP will begin work on developing a facility to assemble and launch turbines out to sea.
cnbc.com
Global forecasting group sees U.S. inflation at 4.2% this year, much higher than Fed estimate
The forecast is a sharp step up from the prior projection of 2.8%. Moreover, it is much higher than the 2.7% Fed officials estimated.
theguardian.com
Ministers vow to spend record £8.4bn on road maintenance in England
Move is part of £27bn five-year investment plan for A-roads and motorways, with almost a third going on work such as resurfacingMinisters have pledged to spend record amounts on road maintenance as part of a £27bn five-year investment plan for England’s major roads and motorways.The government said it was aiming to “fix the foundations” with almost a third, £8.4bn, of the spending going on maintenance, including resurfacing a quarter of England’s strategic road network. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Starmer tells Travelodge boss to engage with MPs over sexual assault case
PM tells Jo Boydell of concerns about her lack of availability to discuss how staff gave man access to victim’s roomUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has written to the chief executive of Travelodge to press the hotel chain to “seriously engage” with MPs raising concerns about its protocols after a woman was sexually assaulted by a man who was given her room number and a keycard by staff.MPs who had sought an urgent meeting with Jo Boydell said the case of Kyran Smith, 29, who was jailed for seven and a half years last month, raised “deeply concerning” questions. He attacked the woman after a party in December 2022. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
NS&I boss replaced as bank faces record payout over missing savings
Pensions minister promises the ‘full truth’ as external advisers are hired to identify the scale of the errorsUK politics live – latest updatesBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of National Savings and Investments has stepped down after it emerged that the bank will have to repay hundreds of millions of pounds to its customers over missing savings.The government-backed savings institution is in discussions with the Treasury to repay about 37,500 people whose money has been misplaced because of historical failings, after a review identified about £470m in deposits affected. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
What comes next? Three attack scenarios as U.S. sends thousands more troops to Middle East
One of Iran's top lawmakers has said that they were anticipating a potential ground invasion of one its islands.
theguardian.com
Listen to a grieving mother and have no doubts: water privatisation has been a lethal scandal | Clive Lewis
Progressives must wage a battle against a rotten capitalist system that milks our resources – and destroys lives. Let the fightback start with water In more than a decade as an MP, I have attended hundreds of meetings in parliament. Most pass. Some linger. Few stay with you. But a recent event was very different.We hosted the actors, the real-life people they portrayed and the production team behind the Channel 4 docudrama Dirty Business. It tells the story of campaigners and families who have spent years fighting not just privatised water companies, but a system that was meant to protect them – and has too often failed. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump says Iranian negotiators 'better get serious soon, before it is too late'
Trump's comments come amid ongoing confusion over whether the U.S. and Iran have held negotiations over ending the war.
bbc.com
'It took six years to receive my late father's premium bonds'
Readers contacted BBC Your Voice to say they not been able to claim funds from dead family members' premium bond investments.
bbc.com
UK forecast to see biggest hit to growth from Iran war out of major economies
The OECD downgrades forecasts for many of the world's biggest economies due to the US-Israel war with Iran.
theguardian.com
Italy seizes €20m of assets allegedly bought with money embezzled from Ursula Andress
‘Misappropriation of financial resources’ from actor, 90, tracked to property, vineyards and olive groves in Tuscany Italian authorities have seized €20m (£17.3m) of assets in Tuscany, including property, vineyards and olive groves, allegedly bought with money embezzled from the actor Ursula Andress.Andress, 90, had filed a complaint in her native Switzerland alleging a “progressive and significant depletion of her assets” by individuals charged with managing her finances, Italy’s financial crimes police said in a statement on Thursday. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump wants to squeeze Iran into peace talks with more troops — but it may backfire, analysts say
Trump's threats to ramp up military presence may be to pressure Iran to negotiate but the battle may be harder than he calculated, say analysts.
bbc.com
How to make the most of your Lifetime Isa
Martin Lewis explains that you can use your Lifetime ISA to buy with someone who has already bought.
cnbc.com
A Google AI breakthrough is pressuring memory chip stocks from Samsung to Micron
SK Hynix, Samsung and Micron shares fell as investors fear fewer memory chips may be required in the future.
theguardian.com
The verdict against Meta and YouTube is a victory for children – and the US justice system | Austin Sarat
In a court of law, tech titans will be judged not for who they are, but what they do. We should take comfort in thatJury verdicts are meant to speak the truth, and today’s verdict in a California courtroom spoke the truth about the pernicious effects of platforms such as Instagram and YouTube on young people in the United States and around the world. The jury found two social media giants, Meta and YouTube, responsible for injuries incurred by a 20-year-old woman over the course of her childhood.The plaintiff, referred to in court as KGM, claimed that her social media use had begun when she was six years old. Her suit alleged that the sites she regularly used had features designed to hold her attention and keep her coming back. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Octopus reports sharp rise in solar panel sales since start of Iran war
Firm’s sales up 54% this month and Good Energy reports doubling of interest in solar after latest oil price shockSolar panel sales have risen sharply since the start of the Iran war, according to Octopus Energy, and households are opting for bigger arrays of roof panels.Sales were up 54% so far this month compared with the same period last month, the company said on Thursday. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Sewage released into England’s rivers and seas nearly 300,000 times last year
Campaigners criticise frequent use of storm overflows when parts of the country were in drought for monthsRaw sewage was discharged into rivers and seas almost 300,000 times last year after the driest spring for more than 100 years and the sunniest and warmest year on record in England.Water companies released raw sewage into rivers and seas from storm overflows – designed to be used in extreme wet weather conditions – 291,492 times. This was a 35% reduction on record spills in 2024. Average discharges were 20.5 spills for each overflow, compared with 31.8 in the previous year. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Whisky giant drops plans for £150m facility in Ayrshire
Suntory Global Spirits did not give a reason for why the plan is not going ahead.
cnbc.com
The oil market is in 'backwardation' — Here’s what that means for energy prices
Oil prices have been rocked by volatility since the U.S.-Iran war began.
theguardian.com
What does the Iran war mean for clean energy transition?
Here’s what to know about how the current crisis could shape the expansion of renewable energyAs the deadly war in Iran triggers what the International Energy Agency has described as the worst oil crisis in history, climate advocates are calling for a faster shift away from fossil fuels, but the conflict may also hamper that transition.US-Israeli strikes on Iran have disrupted supply routes through the strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil flows. The US, Israel and Iran have also all launched strikes on fossil fuel facilities, creating additional market shocks. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Ticketmaster quietly raised other fees after US crackdown on hidden charges
Documents obtained by Guardian show company increased different fees to ‘offset revenue loss’ from FTC rule changeFollowing a wave of regulations banning the surprise fees that appear at the end of a transaction, Ticketmaster stopped charging the extra few dollars it added to each order at checkout. Typically shared with the venue, the order processing fee was a boon to a global platform that sells hundreds of millions of tickets a year.But documents obtained by the Guardian show that while Ticketmaster eliminated this fee to comply with the rules, the company simply raised the cost of different fees in a number of its venues to ensure it didn’t lose money. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Flights, fertilizer, mortgage rates: how the Iran war is raising more than just US gas prices
Oil is used to power the supply chain, from machines that manufacture a cellphone to diesel that powers a truckFertilizer. Phones and laptops. Flights. These are just some of the products made from or powered by crucial materials that ship through the strait of Hormuz, which still remains effectively closed due to the US-Israel war on Iran.As the war approaches its fifth week, global oil shortages are forcing countries to take severe measures to save their reserves as Iran continues to block oil shipments. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Co-op boss quits after year marked by cyber-attack and claims of ‘toxic’ culture
Shirine Khoury-Haq denies exit linked to allegations about behaviour at retail and funerals group as it sinks to £125m lossBusiness live – latest updatesThe Co-op Group has announced that its chief executive will step down this weekend after a difficult year that included a cyber-attack and recent claims of a “toxic” culture at the business.Shirine Khoury-Haq will depart on 29 March and Kate Allum, a board member and former boss of the dairy group First Milk, will step in as interim boss while a permanent replacement is sought. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Co-op boss quits after 'toxic culture' claims reported by BBC
Shirine Khoury-Haq's departure comes after a troubled year, in which the retailer suffered a cyber-attack and faced allegations about its workplace culture.
theguardian.com
Marriage over, €100,000 down the drain: the AI users whose lives were wrecked by delusion
One minute, Dennis Biesma was playing with a chatbot; the next, he was convinced his sentient friend would make him a fortune. He’s just one of many people who lost control after an AI encounterTowards the end of 2024, Dennis Biesma decided to check out ChatGPT. The Amsterdam-based IT consultant had just ended a contract early. “I had some time, so I thought: let’s have a look at this new technology everyone is talking about,” he says. “Very quickly, I became fascinated.”Biesma has asked himself why he was vulnerable to what came next. He was nearing 50. His adult daughter had left home, his wife went out to work and, in his field, the shift since Covid to working from home had left him feeling “a little isolated”. He smoked a bit of cannabis some evenings to “chill”, but had done so for years with no ill effects. He had never experienced a mental illness. Yet within months of downloading ChatGPT, Biesma had sunk €100,000 (about £83,000) into a business startup based on a delusion, been hospitalised three times and tried to kill himself. Continue reading...
bbc.com
UK CO2 plant to reopen in Iran war contingency plan
The government will invest £100m to restart the Teesside site producing carbon dioxide, a key part of food and drink manufacturing.
cnbc.com
Iran plans to charge ships for safe passage through Strait of Hormuz, report says
Officials in Tehran have drafted legislation to create a toll system where ships pay for safe passage through the waterway, Iranian media reported.
cnbc.com
Gulf states say they're ready for 'self defense' as stance shifts on Iran war
Gulf states have issued a joint statement on Thursday condemning Iran's "blatant" and "criminal" attacks against them.
bbc.com
Campaigners welcome Meta and YouTube's defeat in landmark social media addiction trial
A woman has been awarded $6m in a verdict that could have implications for hundreds of other cases in the US.
bbc.com
'A game-changing moment for social media' - what next for big tech after landmark addiction verdict?
The ruling could be the beginning of the end of social media as we know it, writes the BBC's technology editor Zoe Kleinman.
bbc.com
Estate of late tycoon Mike Lynch to pay damages of £920m
Judge rules that Hewlett-Packard Enterprise was owed damages for the £8.2bn acquisition of Autonomy in 2011.
cnbc.com
Meet Figure AI: The company behind the humanoid robot hosted by Melania Trump
The White House hosted its first humanoid robot guest, with first lady Melania Trump appearing alongside a robot from startup Figure AI.
theguardian.com
‘It dictated the whole atmosphere’: why some landlords are banning kids from pubs
Unruly behaviour, safety concerns and lost trade are forcing some landlords to act, but others argue pubs should remain for everyone“It was like the wild west. If you had an hour, I could talk you through so many scenarios,” says Egil Johansen, the landlord of the Kenton pub in Hackney, east London. He sounds exhausted just remembering them.Johansen is still shaken by the three-year-old who recently toddled behind the bar and tumbled down the cellar hatch while his parents sat, oblivious, in a different part of the pub. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Electronic warfare in the Persian Gulf: How GPS interference is disrupting the Middle East
Since the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran on Feb. 28, interference with location-based services has disrupted life across the Persian Gulf.
theguardian.com
Fears net zero is ‘next Brexit’ as oil crisis fuels political climate divide
Rising energy bills give Reform and Tories opening to attack net zero while government hesitant to make case for clean energyCould net zero become “the next Brexit”? That is the fear stalking climate advocates as the oil crisis caused by the war on Iran starts to bite.A powerful coalition of the well-funded Reform party, led by Nigel Farage, the Conservative party, some business interests, and the UK’s right-wing media, are engaged in an onslaught against the longstanding target of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Trump confirms May meeting with Xi Jinping as Iran war forces postponement
Trump's delayed meeting with Xi Jinping will be the first visit to China by a US president since 2017.
theguardian.com
‘It’s like having a friend everywhere you travel’: after 12 home exchanges, I’ll never book a hotel again
The Which? travel editor on the unexpected joys and considerable savings of house swapping. Plus top tips on how to do itImagine cutting the cost of accommodation on your next holiday to about £5 a day. You can have a whole house, rather than just a bedroom. And you can go almost anywhere in the world and stay as long as you like, within reason. Welcome to house swapping.You’re sceptical, I know. I was, too. Our terrace house was too small. Too overflowing with stuff. The 1980s kitchen was too old (and battered). We aren’t in a nice enough neighbourhood. Who would want to stay here? Lots of people, it turned out. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Talking in circles on Iran
Iran insists no talks with the U.S. are underway, while G7 foreign ministers gather to discuss de-escalation, sending more mixed signals to the markets.
bbc.com
NHS, bills and immigration: One constituency's election talking points
Six weeks from the Holyrood election, the BBC takes the temperature in one central Scotland constituency.
bbc.com
Working parents 'struggling to afford nappies or food'
More working families asking for baby essentials
bbc.com
Do not turn your heating off, charities warn
Organisations say there is support available after heating oil doubled in price due to the war in Iran.
theguardian.com
Charity Commission warns Alan Turing Institute of its legal duties after complaints
Exclusive: Watchdog issues formal guidance to trustees at top AI research institute after staff expressed concernsThe board of the UK’s leading AI research institute has been reminded of its legal duties in areas such as financial oversight and managing organisational change by the charity watchdog after a whistleblower complaint.The Charity Commission issued formal regulatory advice and guidance to trustees at the Alan Turing Institute (ATI), the organisation’s board, after it was contacted by a group of staff with a list of concerns. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
White House posts cryptic videos, deletes one, fueling speculation online
Two mysterious videos posted to the official White House X account on Wednesday night are generating buzz online, with the purpose of the short, vertically shot clips unclear.
theguardian.com
Is Cuba Trump’s next target? – podcast
The journalists Ruaridh Nicoll and Daniel Montero report from Havana as Cuba suffers from a devastating oil blockade imposed by the USWhen asked about Cuba by journalists last week, Donald Trump replied: ‘It may be a friendly takeover. It may not be a friendly takeover. It wouldn’t matter, because they’re really down to the fumes.’It was the only the latest in a series of increasingly belligerent statements from the White House about the island 90 miles off the Florida coast. Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state and a Cuban-American himself, openly threatens Cuba’s communist leadership. Trump says ‘I can do anything I want with it’. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Rocket stocks soar on report Musk's SpaceX to file for share sale
Reports it plans the biggest listing ever sent the shares of firms in its orbit soaring in US trade on Wednesday.
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
cnbc.com
Inside India newsletter: Ikea has high hopes for the country as it stares at a global slowdown
Amid slowing global sales and store closures in China, Ikea has high hopes for India.
bbc.com
The homeless teenager who became a successful advertising boss
Greg Daily has swapped sleeping on friends' sofas for running a popular digital marketing company.
theguardian.com
British suppliers to be prioritised for contracts in sectors vital to national security
Policy brought forward as Middle East war highlights fragility of global supply chainsBritish suppliers will be prioritised for public contracts in shipbuilding, steel, AI and energy infrastructure under new guidance marking them out as sectors vital to national security.Departments will also have to either use British steel or justify sourcing it from overseas, under the rules announced by the government. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Octopus boss: We've seen a 50% rise in solar panel sales since start of Iran war
The UK giant is optimistic but chief executive Greg Jackson tells the BBC he is making contingency plans.
theguardian.com
What’s the current crisis telling us about our fossil fuel future? | Fiona Katauskas
We might need something more reliableSee more of Fiona Katauskas’s cartoons here Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK armed forces authorised to board Russian tankers in British waters
Prime minister approves tougher action against shadow fleet of oil vessels attempting to evade sanctionsUK armed forces have been authorised to board Russian oil tankers in British waters, Downing Street has said, in an escalation against Moscow’s sanction-evading shadow fleet.The Royal Navy has previously joined allies in action against the vessels. Last week it helped track a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean which was then boarded by the French navy. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Oil prices volatile as Trump talks up Iran negotiations
Crude rose back above $100 a barrel as the US and Iran clashed over bringing the conflict to an end.
cnbc.com
Iran has no intention to hold talks with U.S; foreign minister says Trump proposal to end war being reviewed
President Donald Trump has claimed the U.S. and Iran are "in negotiations now." But the Islamic Republic denies any direct talks to end the war.
theguardian.com
No escape from the energy shock for UK business. A long-term strategy is still essential | Nils Pratley
Latest crisis is yet another reminder that reset in industrial policy is needed, including a more strategic one for energyThe cost of energy for British business was a crisis even before the Iran war sent prices higher: the UK already had the highest electricity prices for industry among G7 countries. Now comes the next whack. How big will it be?Projections from the energy consultancy Cornwall Insight are steep for electricity and gas. For the former, it thinks increases of 10-30% are on the cards; for the latter 25-80%. The ranges are wide because, unlike with households, there are no price caps for businesses. Contracts are a negotiation, more or less, between supplier and customer. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
White House says Trump will meet Xi in China in May
A long-awaited meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15, the White House said.
theguardian.com
Big tech reckoning: Meta fined $375m in landmark case – The Latest
A court in the US has ordered Meta to pay $375m after a jury found that the company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, enabled harm including child sexual exploitation on its platforms. The landmark victory marks the first time the social media corporation has been successfully sued by a US state over child safety issues. Could it set a new precedent for holding big tech to account? Lucy Hough speaks to the investigative reporter Katie McQue. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Goldman Sachs' Lloyd Blankfein warns Iran war fallout 'is going to last' even if 'there's a resolution tomorrow'
Goldman Sachs' Lloyd Blankfein urged investors to prioritize contingency planning as Iran war rattles markets.
theguardian.com
Here’s the danger: if Labour doesn’t offer a radical solution to the energy-price crisis, others will
Money-off vouchers won’t do. Instead, the government needs to offer a lasting vision for energy security – because we already know what Reform’s isIn a time of fear, heroes must rise. There’s a gathering storm rattling at the windows, tearing through the family WhatsApp groups. Use your air fryer instead of the oven. Book your summer holiday now to avoid spiralling flight costs. Colin, a caller on LBC, has heard a rumour (the radio phone-in equivalent of “forwarded many times”) that there are abundant oil and gas reserves off the Falkland Islands and wants the government to fund an expedition to go and get them.Meanwhile, Ed Miliband has been on TikTok, patiently explaining to his 26,800 followers what the government is doing to protect you from the coming war-flavoured price shock. Energy bills are coming down in April. There’s a £50m heating oil fund for poorer households. Fuel duty is being frozen until September. There are unspecified “measures to advance our plans for clean power”. And, of course, the government is “working with our allies to bring this conflict to an end”, which definitely seems to be doing the trick so far.Jonathan Liew is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Oil giants raise the alarm over energy shortages as Iran war drags on
Shell CEO Wael Sawan warns Europe will be next to face an energy supply crunch.
bbc.com
UK inflation rate stays at 3% before Iran war hits oil prices
The speed of price rises in the UK has stayed the same, according to data which was collected before the US-Israel war with Iran began.
bbc.com
We need more plumbers and fewer lawyers in AI age, says BlackRock boss
Larry Fink also warns if oil prices stay high for a sustained period it will have "profound implications" for the world economy.
bbc.com
Why are UK prices still rising?
UK Inflation has dropped back from record highs but remains above the Bank of England's 2% target.
cnbc.com
What comes after Labubu? Inside Pop Mart’s next grow play
Pop Mart is betting on films, theme parks and global expansion to turn Labubu into a lasting franchise, even as the initial craze fades.
bbc.com
OpenAI closes Sora video-making app and cancels $1bn Disney deal
The move comes less two years after the launch of the AI video app sent shockwaves through the media industry.
theguardian.com
Hundreds of ABC staff walk out of Melbourne office as Australia-wide strike begins - video
Hundreds of staff from the ABC's Southbank office in Melbourne walked off the job for a 24-hour strike, forcing ABC services across TV, radio and digital to use BBC News content and repeat programming. Melbourne-based ABC journalist Daniel Ziffer said staff were striking because they have seen 'real cuts to real wages'ABC switches to BBC programming as staff walk off the job for 24-hour strike Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Wildly unaffordable': The harsh reality of shared ownership
For many, the promise of getting a foot on the property ladder has turned into a nightmare.
bbc.com
Meta told to pay $375m for misleading users over child safety
The owner of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp has been found liable by a court in New Mexico.
bbc.com
Social media bans and digital curfews to be trialled on UK teenagers
The government will interview the young people and their parents before and after they try the limits to assess their impact.
bbc.com
Low-deposit mortgage deals hit as rates continue to soar
More than 200 first-time buyer deals have disappeared from the market, with more upheaval expected.
theguardian.com
‘I’d smoke Biscoff if I could’: how a little Belgian biscuit became a social media sensation
Biscoff-based recipes are breaking the internet – everything from cheesecakes and milkshakes to prawn dishes and salads. A few traditionalists are even enjoying the biscuits on their own. What’s behind this sweet success story?Around 15 years ago, Ashley Markle was admitted into a secret world, introduced to the treasures of an exclusive supply chain. She was staying at her aunt’s house and, one morning, when her aunt made her a coffee, she placed a little plastic-wrapped biscuit on the side. “I’d never seen them before,” says Markle. She bit into it: “It was a warm flavour that I’d never really had in a cookie. I’m like, what is this?”Her aunt had discovered the small, gently spiced Biscoff biscuits as an airline snack. She loved them so much that she contacted the maker, Belgian company Lotus, and asked them to ship a box to her in the US. At that time, says Markle, “I think she was the only person who actually had them in her home.” But, as we all know, the world changes rapidly. Last year, Biscoff was the fastest-growing biscuit brand in the US. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Airbnb in firing line as Cape Town’s housing crisis catches up with middle class
Social media full of complaints about digital nomads, while waiting list for social housing gets longerEarlier this month, graffiti appeared on the promenade in Sea Point, on Cape Town’s wealthy Atlantic Seaboard: “Digital nomads go home! Now!”Social media is full of complaints about the abundance of American and German accents, foreign property buyers, and properties being listed on Airbnb, all of which are being blamed for soaring housing costs. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Would you build your own apps?
Start-ups are offering tech for novices to create apps with the help of AI.
theguardian.com
‘We consider every mile we drive’: how fuel shortages are affecting readers worldwide
From a shop owner in India to a community worker in New South Wales, rising fuel prices are forcing people to ration oil usageMiddle East crisis – live updatesAlagesan, 35, needs liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to run his roadside drink and snack shop in Coimbatore, India, but with the fuel shortage since the US-Israel attacks on Iran, he worries his business could fold.“I am far away from the Middle East, but my life is affected,” he said. “The gas cylinder is not available because of the war. I don’t know what to do.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
BT keeps my 90-year-old mother waiting three months to reinstate phone number
Ordeal left vulnerable woman living alone cut off from family, friends and doctorsMy 90-year-old mother was sent home from hospital to die at the end of last year. Since she lives alone, and I’m her sole carer, it was essential that she get broadband so a personal alarm could be fitted.BT told her she’d have to have a temporary phone number while Openreach carried out the work. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US weight-loss drugmakers slash prices in fight to win customers
Weight-loss drug prices are falling in the US - but can the example be repeated?
theguardian.com
‘You can feel it’: South Yorkshire revival gathers pace as new industries move in
From steel to screen, podcasts to defence, Sheffield’s economy is diversifying amid a wave of new investmentIt has seen its fair share of Hollywood parties – albeit with a twist. Instead of champagne and caviar it is usually Guinness and scampi fries. Red carpet? There aren’t even cushions on the seats.The tiny Sheffield pub, Fagan’s, has raised more than a few toasts in the last year as Adolescence, the Netflix hit made by two of its owners, scooped multiple awards at the Emmys and Golden Globes and became one of the world’s most-watched dramas. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Germany has a shortage of workers - so it's turning to India for help
The European nation, struggling to find skilled staff, is giving jobs to young people from India.
theguardian.com
Moma brand recalls porridge products over possible mice contamination
Customers told not to eat affected pot and sachet products and to return them to place of purchase for refundSeveral porridge products in the UK have been recalled over a possible mice contamination at their manufacturing site.The British porridge and oat drink brand Moma issued a warning for seven versions of its pots and two of its sachets. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Club vibes without the hangover': The twenty-somethings going out - in the gym
Young people are driving a gym boom as more fitness spaces are transformed into vibrant hangouts.
bbc.com
Home working, long leases and rise of parking apps - what went wrong for NCP
How could a company that charged as much as £65 for a day's parking fail to turn a profit?
bbc.com
Did you know you could transfer your ISA?
Martin Lewis explains how you can make the most of your ISA.
bbc.com
Colombia's budding tech scene needs a cash boost
Colombia has become a tech hub for Latin America, but attracting investors is a challenge.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
bbc.com
Why the average age of a first-time buyer has risen
The average age of a first-time buyer in England has risen from 29 to 34.
bbc.com
How Finnish supermarkets are central to the country's defence
The chains all have detailed plans to follow in the event of the nation going to war.
bbc.com
Is it possible to build a plastic-free home?
Using plastic in construction is cheap and easy, but some are trying to radically cut back its use.
bbc.com
Ukraine's urgent fight on the financial frontline
The war-torn country is battling to secure crucial funding from the IMF and EU, as well as putting up taxes.
bbc.com
Why has Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil - and will it help Putin?
The US said easing sanctions on Russian oil would provide only a limited financial boost to Putin.
bbc.com
Dharshini David: Economy on shaky ground even before Iran war
The government's hopes that 2026 would be the year when growth picks up are at risk of being scuppered.
bbc.com
Can plastic-eating fungi help clean up nappy waste?
Cost and convenience have made disposable nappies dominant - can start-ups compete?
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
bbc.com
Budget 2025: What's the best and worst that could happen for Labour?
Three days in, after a tax U-turn and partial climbdown on workers' rights, Laura Kuenssberg looks at what impact Budget week might have.
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